Group run schedule
When to Show Up
Wednesdays6:30 PMSaturdays9:00 AM
CommunityFree
Achilles St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
Premier inclusive running group for disabled athletes
About This Club
Achilles St. Louis is the local chapter of Achilles International, built around pairing athletes with disabilities with volunteer guide runners for runs, walks, or rides in Forest Park. It's for two different kinds of people showing up for the same reason: someone with a disability who wants to move and someone willing to guide them through it. There's no membership and no cost to join either way.
Highlights
- Disability-focused
- Pairs athletes with guides
- Includes walking
- Running
- Cycling
- Guide runners
- Adaptive programs
- Community events
Who It Suits
This suits athletes with disabilities looking for guided runs, walks, or rides, and volunteers who want to guide rather than just log their own miles. It's not built for someone chasing a fast solo run or looking for a competitive pace group, and it's not set up for strollers or dogs.
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What a Run With Them Is Like
Distances vary and can be as short as 1 mile or up to a 5K, on paved paths and park trails around Forest Park, so the ground stays flat and predictable.
Because it's built around athlete-guide pairs, pace is set by whoever you're paired with rather than a fixed group pace, and walking is part of it, not an exception. There isn't a single pack moving together; it's more pairs and small groups working at whatever speed fits.
DistanceVariable, 1 mile, 5K
PaceAll abilities; pairs athletes with disabilities and guide runners
TerrainPaved paths, Park trails
Post-runSocial connection emphasized
Your First Run
Email or call Annie Donnell (achillesstl@gmail.com, 314-440-4691) before you show up, since first-timers get sorted as either an athlete with a disability or a volunteer guide. Meet in the lobby of the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor Center in Forest Park, Wednesdays at 6:30 PM or Saturdays at 9:00 AM.
If you're an athlete worried about pace, that's not really the concern here, guides work at your speed and walking is built into how the group runs. If you're coming as a guide, expect to be paired with someone rather than just joining a pack.
Something to train for
Upcoming Races in St. Louis
18 upcoming races in St. Louis. Having one on the calendar is the easiest way to turn a few group runs into a habit.
Sat, Sep 12, 20269/11 Heroes Run - St. Louis, MO St. Louis, MOFrom $46Details Sat, Sep 26, 2026Golden Harvest Half Marathon & 5k/10k - St. Louis St. Louis, MOFrom $22Details Sun, Oct 18, 202619th Annual Strides 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk St. Louis, MOFrom $40Details
See all St. Louis races
Common Questions About Achilles St. Louis
Do I need to sign up before showing up?
Contact Annie Donnell by email (achillesstl@gmail.com) or phone (314-440-4691) first, since you'll be joining either as an athlete with a disability or as a volunteer guide, and that shapes how you're paired up.
Is there a cost?
No, it's free and there's no membership requirement.
Can I bring my dog or a stroller?
No, the club isn't set up as dog-friendly or stroller-friendly.
What if I can't run the full distance?
Walking is part of how the group operates, not a fallback, and distances range from as short as 1 mile up to a 5K depending on the day.
What happens after the run?
Social connection is part of the point here, so there's time built in to hang around and talk, not just meet and split.
Where this comes from: Club details come from each club’s own channels (their site, Meetup, Strava and social posts) and are checked by hand. Group runs move, so confirm the meeting spot on the club’s latest post before you head out. Last updated April 2026.